Vocabulary

Ore: A rock that contains a metal or an economically useful mineral.

Smelting: Ore that is melted to separate the useful metal from other elements.

Alloy: A solid mixture of two or more metals.

Gemstone: Is a hard and colorful rock that has not yet been cut into a gem.

Outline

• The uses of minerals

• Gemstones
  • used to make jewelry
  • valued for their color, luster and durability
  • when polished and cut is called a gem
• Metals
  • Used for metal tools, machinery and money
  • can be made into wires and molded
• other useful minerals
  • Salt is used or food, Quartz is used for glass, Talc is used for talcum powder, Fluorite is used for aluminum and steel.

• Ores

  • metals are usually found combined with other elements

• Prospecting

  • geologists have many ways to find valuable ore. They look at:
    • features on the surface
    • types of rocks on the surface
    • plants on the surface
    • chemicals in the streams
    • underground maps made using shockwaves

• Mining

  • Three types of mines:
    • strip mines- bulldozers take the top layers of dirt away to expose the ore
    • open pit mines- deep hole dug to find ore
    • shaft mines- tunnels deep underground that follow a vein

• Smelting

  • Ore is mixed with other materials and then heated. The metal melts and can be poured off.